June 2009

Those of you in the UK who attend 10th Planet events will undoubtedly recognize the chap on the left - it's Charlie Ross, convention interviewer extraordinaire, who also emcees the cabarets and does his hilarious Who-based stand-up there. Charlie is also a writer, and we've optioned one of his scripts. He's out from Glasgow for meetings this week, and I scored tickets for us to the last preview of "Farragut North" at the Geffen Playhouse. Naturally, I was too busy to go, so Charlie and Mark (my producing partner) were treated to Mr. Big and Captain Kirk in the flesh while I slaved over a hot budget. Here's some photographic evidence. I am considering throwing Charlie out on the street as I write this.

My advice to anyone who's in the UK during the run is GO! It's always interesting seeing these guys on stage; completely different medium. McGann has done theatre in the past but not often, so grab the opportunity if you can! The Globe is also a very cool place to see a play. Have a drink at the Anchor, just a bit east of the theatre, and sit where Samuel Pepys sat, watching London burn during the Great Fire of 1666.

Underground Toys have released images and descriptions of their 2009 San Diego Comic Con exclusives. They seem to be the same exclusives as the figures being introduced as exclusives to the UK Forbidden Planet retailer (and could not ship outside of the UK, now we know why).

Sixth Doctor with ‘Real Time’ Blue coat - $19.99This alternative costume was most visibly used in the BBC webcast 'Real Time' (having previously appeared on a few book and audio book covers). It varies vastly from the gaudy coat of many colors normally worn by Colin Baker's sixth Doctor whilst retaining some design elements including the dandy's tie and question mark shirt collar. For many fans this has become almost the preferred costume with it's more muted, less frivolous, colorways. Underground Toys are thrilled to be able to offer this new figure as part of their 2009 Exclusives program.

The Watcher, a TV column in the Chicago Tribune by Maureen Ryan interviews David Tennant. In it, he speaks of the specials, his upcoming appearance at San Diego Comic Con, films, and more. Below are some highlights appearing in the column.

An edited and slightly condensed transcript of my interview with Tennant is below. Here are the highlights, in case you don't want to read the whole thing:

With the untimely passing of Michael Jackson today, who had co-wrote "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie, here is a reminder of Doctor Who's "We Are The World" song -- Doctor in Distress. Surely inspired in part by Jackson's We Are The World. A charitable fundraiser song featuring pop artists as well as the then cast members of Doctor Who (including Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Anthony Ainely, and Nicholas Courtney) when the Doctor faced his first long hiatus being off the air for 18 months. The song was released in March 1985. Proceeds went to Cancer Research.

The 2008 Christmas special, Doctor Who: The Next Doctor is scheduled to be released on DVD in North America on the 15th of September 2009. Oddly (but not Oodly), this comes approximately six weeks after the scheduled release of recent special Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead (available on the 28 July on DVD and Blu-ray).

The Next Doctor stars David Tennant as the 10th Doctor along with David Morrissey. The DVD has a suggested retail price of $14.98 in the US. This single-disc release will include a 60 minute bonus feature of Doctor Who at the Proms. The usual trailer, sub-titles, Dolby Digital 5.1 are included as well. No word about an audio commentary, but one is assumed to be included.

We are often asked for a promo spot for Doctor Who: Podshock that other podcasts and radio stations can play to help get the word out about our podcast. The MP3 file linked below is our current promo and theme created by Geoff Smith. Feel free to include this in your podcast or radio show to spread the word throughout time and space about Doctor Who: Podshock.